Filling-detector mechanism



G. H. DRAPER AND J. NORTHROP.

FILLING DETECTOR MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1'0. 1917.

1,342,710. 7 PatentedJune 8, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARE H. DRAPER AND JONAS NORTHROP, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO I-IOPEDALE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MILFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

AppIication filed March 10, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CLARE H. DRAPER and JoNAs NORTHROP, citizens of the United States, residing at Hopedale, in the county of lVorcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Filling-Detector Mechanisms; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to an improvement in filling detector mechanisms for looms.

As usually constructed, filling detector mechanisms comprise a filling fork pivoted on a detector slide. If the detector mecha nism is applied to a plain loom, the slide is connected with the loom stopping means, and if the detector mechanism is applied to an automatic loom, the slide is usually connected with the weft replenishing mechanism, although in a feeler loom, which is an automatic loom in which the operation of the weft replenishing mechanism is controlled by a filling feeler mechanism, the slide is sometimes connected with the loom stopping means. The function of the detector mechanism is to determine whether filling is present or absent on a detecting.

beat. A detecting beat is that beat-up of the lay which occurs when the shuttle is boxed on the same side of the loom upon which the detector mechanism is located. If the loom is provided with only one detector mechanism, every alternate beat-up of the lay is a' detecting beat; whereas, if there are two detector mechanisms, one located on each side of the loom, then every beat-up of the lay is a detecting beat. If filling is present on a detecting beat, it is caught between the grid carried by the lay and the tines of the filling fork, and the fcrk is tilted, so that there will be no cooperation between the weft hammer, which vibrates in timed relation with the lay, and the filling fork. But if filling is absent on a detecting beat, the

. fork remains untilted and its tail is engaged by the weft hammer hook, and the detector slide is moved forward with the weft hammer to set in operation either the loom stopping means or the weft replenishing mechanism.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 153,926.

The foregoing description is of the usual construction of filling detector mechanism and its usual and intended mode of operation. But it sometimes happens, in the op eration of this present construction of filling detector mechanism, as applied to the various types of looms, that a change is effected in the loom operation although filling is present on a detecting beat. This defective filling detector operation results from a variety of causes. Chief among these causes may be enumerated the following: The tension on the filling at the time it strikes the filling fork varies greatly; sometimesihe filling is quite taut and at other times quite slack. So, too, the elevation of the filling as it strikes the fork varies greatly; sometimes the filling strikes the fork tines well up toward the fork pivot and at other times well down toward the ends of the tines and at a considerable distance relatively from the fork pivot. Occasionally the tension on the filling is so great, or the height of the filling is such that, when the fork is struck thereby on the filling detecting beat, it is tilted through so great an are that its tail strikes the hand-rail or reed cap on the lay, which at this time is substantially on its forward center. The striking of the handrail or reed cap by the fork tail frequently causes the latter to descend into position to be caught by the weft hammer hook as the weft hammer begins its forward movement.

Patented June 8, 1920. I

Thus the detector slide is moved forward with the same effect on the loom operation as though filling were absent.

One object of the present invention is to prevent defective or improper filling dc tector operation, with its consequent improper and unnecessary change in the operation of the loom, when filling is present on. a detecting beat and the filling is so taut or so highly positioned thatits tendency is to impart an abnormal movement to the filling fork. To the accomplishment of this object, one feature of the invention consists in producing a filling detector mechanism having provision whereby when filling is present on a detecting beat and the filling fork is tilted, whether normally or abnormally, it is impossible for the fork tail to be caught by the weft hammer on its corresponding forward movement.

Not only does the elevation of the filling vary, that is, its up and down position on the fork tines, but its horizontal position also varies, that is, its forward or rearward position relatively to the grid, and this is espe cially the case after the filling has struck and tilted the fork. Thus it happens that on some detecting beats after the filling has struck the fork, the filling occupies a position so low and so far in advance of the grid that the fork in returning to normal position passes over the filling and assumes a position on its rear side. Consequently, when the shuttle is picked to the other side of the loom a loop of filling is formed about the fork tines. While this loop of filling remains about the fork tines, the filling fork is tilted on every detecting beat, whether the active filling is present or absent, and consequently, if filling be absent, thin places will be formed in the cloth. Moreover, the loop extending from the cloth selvage is a defect.

Another object of the invention is to produce a filling detector mechanism having provision by virtue of which, when the filling fork has been tilted, the fork tines will be held in a forward position until the backward movement of the lay has carried the filling clear of the fork. It will be impossible, therefore, as the fork returns to its normal position, for the fork tines to pass over the filling and assume a position in the rear thereof, whatever may be the position of the filling relatively to the fork tines after the tilting of the fork.

As the filling is paid out by the shuttle in its flight across the lay, it is more or less uncontrolled as to tightness and position, and consequently, as described the tilting of the fork varies greatly. ccasionally the fork action is such that its tail does not descend upon the slide of the weft hammer hook until the latter has reached the limit of its forward movement. On such occasions, and also at other times, the rebound of the fork is liable to be such that the weft hammer has opportunity to return and again move forward without the hook thereof engaging the fork tail, even though filling should be absent.

A further object of the invention is to produce a filling detector mechanism having provision whereby the tail of the fork is prevented from swinging through more than a predetermined angle, further provision being made by virtue of which the fork tail is dropped upon substantially the same place on the weft hammer hook each time, so that, if the tail rebounds, owing to its drop, it has sufficient opportunity to come to rest before the weft hammer completes its return movement. Consequently, the tail of the fork always assumes its normal position in front of the weft hammer hook on each return movement of the weft hammer.

The various features of the invention are embodied in the filling detector mechanism described in the following specification and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan of the improved filling detector mechanism; and Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are sectional elevations showing the parts of the detector mechanism in various positions of operation.

The filling detector mechanism illustrated in the drawings comprises the usual filling fork 10 pivoted at 11 on the detector slide 12, which is mounted for reciprocatory movements in a guideway 13 secured by the screws 14 to the breast beam 15. The filling fork 10 is provided with three depending tines 17 which are adapted to cooperate with a grid mounted in the usual manner on the lay. When the shuttle in its fiight' through the shed has left a filling in front of the grid, on the succeeding beat-up of the lay the grid presses the filling against the tines of the filling fork and thereby tilts the fork on its pivot, swinging the tail 19 thereof upwardly. Thereupon, as the weft hammer 20 moves forward, the barb 21 of the weft hammer hook 22, which is pivoted at 23 on the weft hammer, is carried forward without engaging the fork tail. But when the shuttle in its fiight through the shed does not leave filling in front of the grid, the fork tines are received in the corresponding dents between the grid bars and the fork is not tilted. Thereupon, as the weft hammer moves forward, its hook engages the fork tail and acts to move the detector slide forward. The forward movement of the detector slide actuates the detector arm 25, which is con- 'nected with the means for stopping the loom, or with the weft replenishing mechanism, depending on the type of 100m to which the detector mechanism is applied. The above described parts and their mode of operation are old and well known to those skilled in the art. I

As hereinbefore set forth in full, owing to various causes the detector fork is swung through varying arcs, with the result that sometimes the fork tail descends prematurely into position to be engaged by the weft hammer hook, so that an improper and unnecessary change in the operation of the loom is effected. In order to prevent the tail of the filling fork from prematurely descending into position in front of the barb on the weft hammer hook, it is held suspended above the barb until the weft hammer has moved forward and the barb 21 has passed beyond the tail 19. The means for holding the fork tail elevated until the weft hammer hook has moved forward out of fork tail engaging position, comprises a fork tail catch-finger 27 pivotally mounted at 28 on the detector slide 12. The catchfinger 2-7 extends upwardly and rearwardly over the weft hammer hook, and is provided on its under side with a series of teeth 29 which are adapted, at the proper times, to engage with and hold the fork tail until the weft hammer hook has moved forward out of fork tail engaging position. The catch-finger is yieldingly and rearwardly pressed by means of a spring 30.

When filling is present in front of the tines of the filling fork on a detecting beat and the fork is tilted, the arc through which the fork tail is swung depends upon the tautness of the filling, and also upon the position of the filling against the fork tines relatively to the fork pivot. The spring 80 is of such tension that it permits the tilting of the fork whenever filling is present on a detecting beat, although the filling may be very slack. At the same time, the spring 30 causes the catch finger to act as a brake upon the fork to limit the amount of its swing. Thus the tail of the fork will not swing through so wide an are as it would if the drag of the catch finger were not exerted upon .it. Through whatever arc the fork tail is swung, however, it is caught by one or another of the teeth 29 and held thereby until the weft hammer has moved forward. When the weft hammer has nearly completed its forward movement, the weft hammer hook engages a lug 31 projecting laterally from the catch-finger, and thereupon, as the weft hammer completes its forward movement, the catch-finger is moved forward with it, turning upon its pivot. This forward pivotal movement of the catch-finger disengages the teeth 29 from the fork tail, permitting the latter to descend upon the slide 32 on the weft hammer hook, as shown in Fig. 4. As the weft hammer returns, the fork tail slides up the incline and drops in front of the barb on the weft hammer hook in the usual manner, the catch-finger 27 in the meantime following theweft hammer hook rearwardly until the finger resumes its normal position.

It will be readily seen that inasmuch as the catch-finger acts as a brake upon the filling fork to limit the amount of its swing and hold it for a predetermined length of time before permitting it to return to its normal position, the teeth may be dispensed with and a friction material substituted for them. The object of the invention will be attained by either construction in practically the sameway, that is to say, the tail of the filling fork will be held suspended until the weft hammer has moved forward a predetermined distance.

Incidentally with the suspension of the tail of the filling fork above the path of movement of the weft hammer hook, the tines of the filling fork are prevented from swinging rearwardly until the lay, on its rearward beat, has carried the filling clear of the fork. The fork tines, therefore, can not pass over the filling and assume a position in the rear of the filling. Consequently, there is no liability of the fillings looping itself about the fork tines.

By reason of the fact that when the filling fork is tilted and the tail thereof is held suspended until the weft hammer hook has moved forward a predetermined distance,

. the tail descends and strikes substantially the same spot on the slide 32 of the weft hammer hook. This part of the slide is sufiiciently to the rear of the barb of the hook to afford the fork tail ample opportunity to rebound several times, if necessary, and finally come to rest before the hook returns to its rearmost position. As a result, the fork tail is always in its normal position in front of the weft hammer hook on the detecting beat, so that, in case filling is absent, the fork tail is engaged by the weft hammer hook and the slide moved forward to bring about a change in the operation of the loom.

The length of the friction surface of the catch-finger 27 or the number of fork tail engaging teeth 29 should be sufiicient to permit the fork tail considerable latitude of movement, according to the varying action of the filling. The length of the catchfinger, (and consequently its number of teeth). is necessarily limited by the construction of the lay and the height of the handrail or reed cap thereon. The top tooth of the catch-finger may therefore be well up toward the reed cap, so as to afford provision for an abnormal filling induced movement without imposing any undue strain on the filling. But whether the fork tail is caught near the bottom or near the top of the catch-finger, it is held until the weft hammer hook moves forward a predetermined distance; consequently the fork tail descends each time on substantially the same point on the inclined slide 32 on the weft hammer hook. In order to prevent the catch-finger from passing under the fork tail on an abnormal movement of the fork, the upper end 34c of the catch-finger is extended rearwardly and somewhat downwardly, and so limits the upward movement of the tail and thereby prevents the catchfinger from passing under the fork tail.

Havingthus described the invention, what is claimed is: r 1. A filling detector mechanism having, in combination, a weft hammer, a detector slide, a filling fork pivoted thereon, and means connected with the slide for preventing the filling fork from returning to normal position when filling is present on a detecting beat, until the weft hammer has moved forward a predetermined distance.

2. A filling detector mechanism having, in combination, a detector slide, a filling fork pivoted on the'slide, a weft hammer for cooperating with the fork to move the slide when filling is absent on a detecting beat, and a catch-finger pivoted on the slide for catching and holding the fork after the latter has been tilted by filling presence, until the weft hammer has moved forward a predetermined distance.

3. A filling detector mechanism for looms having, in combination, a. slide, a filling fork pivoted thereon, a weft hammer hook to cooperate with the tail of the fork to actuate the slide when filling is absent in front of the tines of the fork, and means for catching and holding the tail of the fork on each filling detecting beat for a predetermined length of time after the fork has been tilted on filling presence.

4. A filling detector mechanism for looms having, in combination, a slide, a filling fork pivoted thereon, a weft hammer hook having a barb for engaging the fork tail on filling absence, the tail of said fork having a normal position in front of said barb, and means for preventing the hook barb from engaging the fork tail whenever the fork is tilted on filling presence.

5. A filling detector mechanism for looms having, in combination, a slide, a filling fork pivoted thereon, a reciprocating weft hammer hook having a barb, and means for catching the fork tail at substantially the height to which it is raised by the filling,

and holding it clear of the path of motion of the hook barb when the fork is tilted on filling presence.

6. A filling detector mechanism for looms having, in combination, .a slide, a filling fork pivoted thereon, a weft hammer hook having a barb for cooperating with the fork tail to actuate the slide when filling is absent on a detecting beat, and a catch-finger yieldingly pressed toward the fork tail and having a series of notches for engaging the fork tail when filling is present on a detecting beat.

7. A filling detector mechanism for looms having, in combination, a weft hammer, a filling fork pivoted on a detector slide and adapted to be tilted when filling is present on a detecting beat, and means for preventing catching the fork whenever it is tilted on filling presence and thereby the tines from swinging rearwardly until the weft hammer has moved forward a predetermined distance. r

8. A filling detector mechanism for looms having,in combination, a detector slide, 'a filling fork pivoted thereon, a weft hammer hook having a barb for cooperating with the fork tail to actuate the slide when filling is absent on a detecting beat, and a braking member mounted on the slide for engaging the fork tail as it raised on filling presence and thereby exerting a braking efiect on the fork as it is tilted by the filling.

9. A filling detector mechanism for looms having, in combination, a detector slide, a filling fork pivoted on the slide adapted to be tilted by the filling, and means for exerting a braking effect on the filling fork as it is being tilted by the filling.

10. A filling detector mechanism for looms having, in combination, a detector slide, a filling fork pivoted on the slide adapted to be tilted by the filling, and braking and movement limiting means for exerting a braking effect on the fork and limiting the height to which the tail of the filling fork is lifted when the fork is tilted by the filling.

11. A filling detector mechanism for looms having, in combination, a detector slide, a filling fork mounted on the slide adapted to be tilted by the filling, and a braking member pivotally mounted on the slide for engaging the fork to exert a braking effect upon it and thereby limit its movement when it is tilted by the filling.

CLARE H. DRAPER. JONAS NORTHROP.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No 1,342,710, granted June 8,

1920, upon the application of Clare Hi Draper and Jonas Northrop, of Hopedale,

Massachusetts, for an improvement in Filling-Detector Mechanism, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 55,

claim 7, strike out the WOICl preventing same page and claim, line 57, after the Word "thereby insert the Word preventing; same page, line 68, claim 8, after the word it insert the Word is; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 301 day of August, A. D., 1920.

R. F. WHITEHEAD,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

[SEAL] 

